Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday established a negotiating committee from the ruling coalition to engage with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). This follows PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan’s Saturday statement that National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had assured the formation of a government team for talks. Sadiq later confirmed the request for a government committee in response to PTI’s proposal.
The committee includes Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister’s Advisor Rana Sanaullah Khan, and Senator Irfan Siddiqui (PML-N); Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Naveed Qamar (PPP); Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui (MQM); Abdul Aleem Khan (Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party); and Chaudhry Salik Hussain (Muslim League-Q).
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Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the discussions’ focus on national security and unity, praising Speaker Sadiq’s facilitation efforts. PTI, however, has warned of a civil disobedience movement if talks fail to start by next week. They also criticized the government for hindering their team from meeting Imran Khan in jail. PTI Secretary Information confirmed the movement would proceed if progress isn’t made by Sunday.
